Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

Cairo (Fustat), Egypt

The first mosque built in Egypt and the entire African continent, founded by the commander Amr ibn al-As after the Muslim opening of Egypt in 641 CE.

Historical Context

After taking the Byzantine fortress of Babylon in Egypt, Amr ibn al-As established the garrison city of Fustat and built this mosque as its centerpiece. The original structure was modest — a simple roofed area with a courtyard — but it was expanded repeatedly by successive dynasties.